Q&A with Eboni Brown

Eboni Usoro-Brown is an English netball player who played for England and for Queensland Firebirds in the position of defender as well as the goal keeper. At the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018, she was part of the English national netball team which stunned defending Commonwealth Games champion and world champion Australia 52–51 in the team event to secure historic gold medal after a thrilling finish. Today she's an English netball player who played for England and for Queensland Firebirds in the position of defender as well as the goal keeper. At the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018, she was part of the English national netball team which stunned defending Commonwealth Games champion and world champion Australia 52–51 in the team event to secure historic gold medal after a thrilling finish. Today she's a Sky Sports/ BBC Sport Pundit and commentator.

 

What do you like the most about Netball?

I like that netball has allowed me to be a part of a diverse community of strong, infulential, resilient and goal driven people. No matter our backgrounds, its allowed me to connect with others as we seek to achieve a common purpose. Being a part of the netball community has allowed me to channel my competitive spirit in a positive way and it has allowed me to focus on my mental, physical and social wellbeing away from my career as a lawyer. When I'm on the netball court, I feel my daily pressures in life melt away. I like netball and all it has to offer because it brings the best qualities out in me.

What's your favourite sports memory?

Being a part of the England Netball team that won the gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and createing everlasting history within the sporting world. The moment is incredibly special to me as I remember being around 12 years old when my mum took me to Wembley Arena to watch my first international test match between England and Australia. Walking into Wembley Arena and gettiing a sense of the occassion, filled me with such excitement. Having watched England play, I knew that it was my dream to one day wear the red 'Roses' dress. England lost to Australia by over 30 goals that day, so to be a part of the team that over 15 years later, beat the Aussies by 1 goal, on their home soil, having been the underdogs, to take home a major international medal was a dream come true.

How do you feel about Pilates and Yoga?

When I was competing, reformer Pilates (in particular) and Yoga were essential activities within my training program. Both activities provided a foundation upon which I based my recovery. Pilates, in particular, allowed me to work on my breathing techniques and helped me develop my knowledge and understanding of the benefits of slow controlled movements to help improve my coordination and strengthen certain muscle groups. Yoga gave me the space to practice some mindfulness and to really centre my energies. Now that I have retired from netball, and as a mum of 2 young children, I still like to practice Pilates and Yoga to help me manage my daily demands.

Can you share one secret that one shouldn't miss to get to the top?

Celebrate the small wins and enjoy the journey to the top. So often we can become wholly consumed with the end goal. However the small wins from the short and medium term goals that you set and achieve are just as important too, not just the final prize. You have to enjoy the journey to the top, it makes the 'win' that much more rewarding. It's the journey, the stories of success and failure along the way that makes you wiser, giving you licence to share those 'moments' with your children/ grand children and the like, in the hope that they will also be inspired to go on an achieve greatness.

Which is your favourite food or drink to stay fit and healthy?

Any thing to do with breakfast makes me happy. My go to food is a piece of thick cut sourdough bread, scrambled eggs, smoked salmon with avocado and lemon juice. YUM! Add a fruit smoothie on the side and I'm guaranteed to have started the day on the right foot.

What music do you like to listen when training?

I'm a huge fan of old skool 90's RnB. Anything that is upbeat with a high tempo and can get me singing along to it whilst i workout is ideal.

Does your training outfit impact your performance?

When I am training, my outfit is key. I don't want any distractions from the task in hand. Therefore, my outfit has to be comfortable, breathable, fit for purpose, stylish and most importantly able to keep up with my body and its dynamic movements.

Which is your favourite place to train?

Anywhere outdoors. I love feeling the sun hitting my skin whilst I am working out. I like to be surrounded by nature and feel mostly at peace there.

Who do you like training with?

When I was playing netball, it was always with my teammates. I loved the sense of commaraderie that you got when playing a team sport and we were never short of moments of pure laughter in and amongst the intensity. Now, I love to take my 6 months old son out in the running buggy and spend time with him whilst getting physically fit.

Who do you admire?

My mum. I was raised in a single parent household and I admire her strength, her selflessness, her courage, her resilience and her ambition to not only further and excel at her own career whilst raising me but the way in which she nurtured and guided me to become the woman i am today. I owe her so much and everyday, i remind myself of her magic, and I try and be as good as a parent that she was to me to my own children.